About this product

Schlumbergera Red – Christmas Cactus – 17cm Pot

Schlumbergera – Red Flowering Selection

Supplied in a 17cm pot (P17)

Plant Highlights

• Rich red flowers appearing at the tips of the segmented stems

• Winter flowering interest during the darker months

• Attractive evergreen growth with flattened, jointed green stems

• Graceful arching habit that becomes more trailing as the plant matures

• Long-lived indoor plant that can flower again with suitable seasonal care

Overview

Schlumbergera, commonly known as the Christmas Cactus, is a distinctive tropical cactus grown for its colourful winter flowers and unusual segmented stems. This red-flowering selection produces elegant, tubular blooms at the ends of its green, leaf-like stems, creating a lovely contrast between the bright flowers and fresh foliage. Unlike desert cacti, Schlumbergera originates from humid forest environments and appreciates filtered light, moderate moisture and good drainage.

Supplied in a 17cm pot, this Christmas Cactus makes an attractive feature on a bright windowsill, side table or plant stand. Its stems begin relatively upright before gradually arching and trailing as they lengthen, giving the plant an increasingly graceful shape. With the right balance of light, temperature and seasonal rest, it can become a rewarding houseplant that returns with flowers year after year.

Why We Love It

• Beautiful winter colour: The red blooms brighten indoor spaces when natural daylight is limited and many houseplants are not flowering.

• Unusual stem structure: Flattened, connected green segments create an interesting shape even when the plant is between flowering periods.

• A softer cactus appearance: Its arching stems and absence of prominent spines give it a different character from traditional desert cacti.

• Develops with age: Established plants produce more branching stems, creating an increasingly full and cascading display.

• Enjoyable seasonal routine: Cooler autumn conditions and naturally shortening days help encourage the next flowering cycle.

Plant Details

Attribute	Information
Botanical Name	Schlumbergera
Common Name	Christmas Cactus, Holiday Cactus
Selection	Red flowering; individual cultivar not specified
Plant Type	Evergreen, epiphytic tropical cactus
Flowers	Showy red, tubular to trumpet-shaped flowers at the stem tips
Flowering Season	Mainly late autumn to winter, commonly November to January
Foliage	Flattened, jointed green stems that perform the function of leaves
Growth Habit	Bushy when young, becoming arching and trailing with age
Mature Height	Commonly around 20–45cm indoors, depending on the selection and growing conditions
Mature Spread	Commonly around 30–45cm or more as stems develop
Light	Bright, indirect natural light
Compost	Airy, moisture-retentive but freely draining houseplant compost
Watering	Moderate during active growth, reduced during seasonal rest periods
Preferred Temperature	Approximately 18–20°C during active growth
Minimum Temperature	Keep above 10°C; protect from frost
Humidity	Appreciates moderate to higher indoor humidity
Maintenance	Remove damaged segments, feed during active growth and encourage seasonal rest
Best Use	Bright indoor shelves, windowsills, plant stands and decorative containers

Growing Guide

Position and Light

Place your Schlumbergera in a bright room with filtered or indirect natural light. An east-facing windowsill is often ideal, providing gentle morning light without prolonged exposure to intense afternoon sunshine.

Avoid strong direct summer sun through glass, which can discolour or scorch the green stem segments.

During winter in Ireland, position the plant close enough to a window to receive useful daylight, while keeping it away from cold glass, draughts and direct radiator heat.

Watering

Unlike desert cacti, Schlumbergera should not be kept completely dry for extended periods during active growth.

Water thoroughly when the upper few centimetres of compost begin to dry, allowing excess water to drain away. Keep the compost moderately moist during spring and summer without leaving it saturated.

Reduce watering during the cooler autumn resting period and again after flowering. Allow the upper compost to dry further between applications, but avoid prolonged complete dryness.

Never leave the nursery pot standing in water inside a decorative outer container, as waterlogged roots can deteriorate quickly.

Compost and Repotting

Use a free-draining, airy houseplant compost that holds some moisture without becoming compacted. A peat-free houseplant mix amended with perlite and fine orchid bark is suitable.

Choose a pot with drainage holes. Schlumbergera generally grows well when its roots are relatively snug, so repot only when necessary rather than moving it immediately into a much larger container.

Repot after flowering or during spring growth, selecting a pot only slightly larger than the existing root system.

Temperature and Winter Care

During active growth and flowering, Schlumbergera prefers comfortable indoor temperatures of approximately 18–20°C.

It is frost-tender and should be kept above 10°C. Protect it from cold draughts, particularly during transport and when positioned near frequently opened doors.

To encourage flower buds, provide a cooler period of approximately 12–15°C during autumn, together with reduced watering and naturally shorter days.

Avoid placing the plant near strong artificial lighting late into the evening during bud formation, as interrupted darkness can affect flowering.

Feeding and Routine Maintenance

Feed with a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser during active growth from spring to late summer, following the manufacturer's recommended dilution.

Schlumbergera generally needs little pruning. If the plant becomes uneven or excessively long, carefully remove a few stem segments at their natural joints after flowering or in spring.

This can encourage branching and help maintain a fuller shape.

Remove damaged or shrivelled segments as needed, and inspect occasionally for mealybugs around the stem joints.

Encouraging Flowers Again

Flowering is influenced by day length, temperature and the plant's seasonal growth cycle.

In early autumn, allow the plant to experience naturally shortening days and cooler temperatures while reducing watering slightly. Once flower buds appear, return it to a comfortably warm, bright position and resume more regular watering.

Avoid repeatedly moving or rotating a heavily budded plant between very different temperatures or light conditions, as sudden changes can cause buds to drop.

After flowering, give the plant another cooler period with reduced watering before returning to its normal spring growing routine.

Humidity and Suitable Rooms

Schlumbergera appreciates more atmospheric moisture than typical desert cacti.

It can grow well in bright living rooms, kitchens and conservatories where temperatures remain stable. A bright bathroom may also be suitable if it receives sufficient natural light.

In particularly dry, centrally heated rooms, a pebble tray with water below the pot can help create a slightly more humid local environment without keeping the compost wet.

Perfect For

• Bright living rooms: The red flowers provide a colourful feature on side tables and plant stands during winter.

• East-facing windowsills: Gentle morning light suits its preference for bright conditions without intense sunshine.

• Shelves and raised planters: Mature stems gradually arch over the pot, creating a softer trailing display.

• Bright kitchens: Suitable where natural light is good and the plant is protected from direct heat and draughts.

• Seasonal indoor displays: Combines attractive evergreen stems with a flowering period that often coincides with the festive season.

Good to Know

Although commonly called a Christmas Cactus, Schlumbergera is a tropical forest cactus rather than a desert cactus. It needs more regular moisture and protection from strong sunshine than many familiar spiny cacti.

This product is identified as a red-flowering Schlumbergera, but no individual species or cultivar has been confirmed. The exact flower shape, flowering timing and eventual plant dimensions may therefore vary.

A cooler autumn rest and uninterrupted longer nights can encourage flowering, but the number of blooms and precise flowering dates depend on the plant's maturity and growing conditions.

Product Information

• Product: Schlumbergera Red

• Botanical Identity: Schlumbergera

• Flower Colour: Red

• Cultivar: Not specified

• Pot Size: 17cm (P17)

• Supplied Format: Potted indoor plant

• Product Barcode / SKU: 8712815049489